Surface mounted lock unit for sliding doors

ABSTRACT

A lock device adapted to be mounted on the fin of a track in which closure panels are slidably mounted. The lock device comprises a block having a planar face, means for mounting the block on the fin with the planar face adjacent one side of the fin, a guide bore in the block substantially perpendicular to the planar face and a lock pin slidable in the bore into engagement with the panel. The block is mounted on one side of the fin by connecting means which extend through mounting bores in the block and apertures in the fin and threadably engage apertures in a fin reinforcing plate adjacent the other side of the fin.

United States Patent Zeit 1 1 Mar. 11, 1975 [54] SURFACE MOUNTED LOCK UNIT FOR 1,900,936 3/1933 Huttger 292/D1G. 33 SLIDING DOORS 3.347.585 /1967 Chmura 292/294 3.428.349 2/1969 Shelton 292/288 1 inventor: Harry i 20255 NW Sixth 3,490,802 1/1970 Zeit 292/010. 46 Miami, Fla. 33169 3,521,922 7/1970 Bowling 292/145 [22] Flled' May 1973 Primary ExaminerAlbert G. Craig, Jr. [21] Appl. No.: 365,144 Attorney, Agent, or FirmClarence A. OBrien;

Harvey B. Jacobson [52] US. Cl 70/100, [57] ABSTRACT 51 1111.01 E05b /08 A lock device adapted be mounted the fin of a [58] Field of Search /90, 99, 100, 451; rack in which Closure Panels are Slidably mounted- 42 5 7 148, 149, 150, 151, 152 The lock device comprises a block having a planar 5 5 55 1162, 233, 289, 292, DIG face, means for mounting the block on the fin with the 20, DIG 33, D16 46 DIG 7 D planar face adjacent one side of the fin, a guide bore 49/449 450, 451 in the block substantially perpendicular to the planar face and a lock pin slid'able in the bore into engage- [561 References Cited ment with the panel. The block is mounted on one UNITED STATES PATENTS side of the fm by connecting means which extend through mounting bores in the block and apertures in 981.972 1/1911 Bonness 292/DIG. 47 the fin and threadably engage apertures i a fi rein fs forcing plate adjacent the other side of the fin. 1,587,771 6/1926 Goddard... 292/D1G. 33 15 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures I9 Z6 /6 i I 68 /8 /9 5 24 32 52 5 28 22 I04 20 1 34 /0a 9e /0 I02 36 r,=-.- T 1 SURFACE MOUNTED LOCK UNIT FOR SLIDING DOORS The present invention relates to locking devices for sliding closure panels, such as windows and doors.

Various types of locking devices for sliding closure panels, such as windows and doors, have been suggested over the years. Perhaps the simplest device is a rod or bar which may be pivotally mounted on the door frame or inserted in the track between the frame and the adjacent stile of the sliding panel. Another popular device is a blocking element which is removably fixed within the panel track to obstruct the passage of the panel. Still another form of locking device comprises a block mounted on the track having a guide bore therein through which a lock pin extends into engagement with the sliding panel. This latter type of locking device suf fers from the disadvantage that in order to mount it on the track a portion of the block necessarily extends into the track channel in which the panel slides. Thus, this type of device has only been useful with panels which provide a relatively large, for example at least about 3/16 inch, clearance between the track mounting fin and the panel.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a locking device of the lock pin type which is useful with sliding panels which provide less than about a 3/16 inch clearance between track mounting fin and sliding panel.

It is another object of this invention to provide a locking device which mounts securely on the track fin.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an effective lock for sliding panels capable of being easily and rapidly installed by any person without any particular skill or effort.

Briefly stated, in accordance with the aforesaid objects, the present invention provides a locking device adapted to be fastened to a fin associated with a track that slidably mounts one or more sliding closure panels. The device is preferably mounted on an outside fin and includes a thin reinforcing plate as the only member within the track channel. When mounted in this fashion, the locking device of the present invention is suitable for use with panels which present as little as about l/l6 inch clearance between the mounting fin and the sliding panel.

The invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of the lock device of the present invention mounted in place on a track fin.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view showing the device in locked position and showing, in phantom, the storage position of the locking pin.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 3--3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the locking device.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the locking device of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be observed from FIGS. 1 and 3 that the lock device, generally designated by the numeral 10, is associated with a pair of closure panels 12 and 14, here shown as sliding doors, but which may also take the form of windows and the like, framed with stiles and rails in the conventional manner, adapted to be mounted in parallel spaced relation to each other by means of a track member 16. As is well known, either one or both of panels 12, 14 can be slidable in the track member. For purposes of simplicity herein, however, it will be assumed that panel 12 is the sliding panel and is disposed on the inside of the fixed panel 14, Le. FIG. 1 illustrates the closure panels from the inside of the room.

Generally, the closure panels are mounted in a rect angularly framed door or window opening which includes a top track member 16 and a bottom track member (not shown). One form of conventional track member 16 is shown in FIG. 3 and includes a web member 18, means 19 to mount the web to and/or space the web from a support, and four depending perpendicular flanges or fins 20, 22, 24 and 26. Fins 20 and 26, respectively, adjacent the outside and inside of the room in which the track and panels are mounted are external fins. Internal spaced guide fins 22 and 24 define with fins 20 and 26 channels 28, 30 and 32. Fins 22 and 24 are denominated guide" fins because when received in recesses 34 and 36 in closure panels 12 and 14, respectively, they guide the slidable relative movement of the panels in parallel spaced relation to each other.

Sliding panels and guide tracks of the types herein described are well known and form no part of the present invention.

In accordance with the present invention, lock device 10 may be mounted on the sides of external fins 20 and 26 remote from channels 28 and 32, respectively. Most conveniently, lock device 10 is mounted within the room on fin 26 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Lock pin 38 extends through lock device 10 and is preferably received within apertures formed in at least one of the stiles 40 of the closure panel frame to prevent slidable movement of the panel. As shown in FIG. 3, the lock pin may be sufficiently long to extend into and engage the stile of the other closure panel frame, as well as into the stile of a screen or other door 42 interposed be tween panels 12 and 14. It will be appreciated that lock device 10 can be mounted on fin 26 in alignment with either stile of the closure panel frame.

The lock device designated generally as 50 in the embodiment of FIG. 4 includes a generally rectangular block or body 52 formed with a slot 54 intermediate block end walls 56 and 58. Slot 54 has a vertical wall 60, a vertically inclined wall 62 and a horizontal floor 64. The walls of the slot extend downwardly from the horizontal top surface 66 of the block a depth sufficient to receive the track mounting member 68 therein with the bottom surface 70 of the member 68 seated upon floor 64 and the top surface 72 of the member 68 substantially coplanar with the top surface 66 of the block. Track mounting member 68 is generally rectangular in cross-section and includes generally parallel faces 74 and 76 joined by generally parallel ends 78 and 80 and top and bottom surfaces 70 and 72. Face 74 has formed centrally therein and extending between surfaces 70 and 72 a shallow rectangular recess 79 to receive the portion of the block between end wall 56 and wall 60 with end wall 56 substantially coplanar with face 74. A shoulder 81 may optionally be formed along the lower marginal portion of face 74 for seating the bottom edge of the mounting fin 26 thereon with the fin side adjacent coplanar face 74 of the member and wall 56 of the block. Face 76 has a centrally disposed wedge element 82 extending vertically between surfaces 70 and 72 formed therein to firmly secure member 68 in slot 54.

The wedge element portion of the member 68 is provided with a pair of vertical internally threaded bores 84, as shown in FIG. 4, which are in vertical registry with a pair of bores 86 in the floor 64 of the block. The threaded portion of positioning screw members 88 extend through bores 86 and threadably engage bores 84 with the heads 89 of the screw members engageable with the bottom 51 of the block. These heads may, if preferred, be flat heads engageable in recesses countersunk into the block. It will be appreciated that block 52 and member 68 may be firmly clamped together by rotating screw members 88 with a screw driver to threadably draw the wedging element of member 68 into slot 54.

Also formed within the block 52 in perpendicular relation to end walls 56 and 58 and in parallel spaced relation to and below floor 64 is a guide bore 92 through which lock pin 38 extends into engagement with a sliding panel stile. The lock pin is provided at one end with a right angle portion 39 to engage wall 58 and limit the projection of the pin into bore 92. Thus, the lock pin 38 may be inserted into the guide bore from one side 58 so as to project from the other side 56 into engagement with the panel frame for locking the same.

Optionally, the lock pin may be locked in place in guide bore 92 by a conventional key lock means, shown most clearly in FIG. 1. In one form of the invention a lock cylinder 94 is received in a recess 96 formed in the bottom 51 of block 52. In conventional manner, operation of a key in cylinder 94 rotates cam means (not shown) on the cylinder into locking engagement with reduced diameter portions 96 on the pin 38 through an aperture (not shown) communicating the recess 96 with the guide bore 92.

In one installation of the lock device of FIG. 4, shown in FIG. 3, member 68 is mounted to the side of fin 26 remote from channel 32 by screw members 98. Member 68 is provided with a pair of bores 100 which are in registry with apertures 102 in the fin. The screw members 98 project through the bores 100 and apertures 102 and threadably engage threaded apertures 103 in reinforcing plate 104 disposed adjacent the channel side of fin 26. The number of screw engaging threads in the plate apertures may be increased by providing internally threaded flanges 105, as shown in FIG. 5, extending from the periphery of the apertures 103 into the apertures 102 in fin 26. The screw members 98 are of appropriate length that they extend into but do not project out of the apertures 103 in the plate 104 into the channel. As shown, the heads 99 of the screw members are engageable with the face 76 of the member. These heads may, if preferred, be flat heads engageable in recesses countersunk into the member.

The plate 103 is preferably made of H1 6 inch or thinner flat stock and permits the lock device 50 of the present invention to be mounted for use in connection with closures which have only minimal clearance between the sliding panels and the mounting fin. Once the lock device is in position, the guide bore 92 may be used to guide a drill bit so as to form a hole in the stile (or stiles) into which the lock pin 38 may be received. It will be appreciated that by adjusting the location of the lock device relative to the sliding panel, the panel may be locked in either closed or slightly open positions. When the lock device is unlocked, lock pin 38 may be stored in storage bore 106 extending through the block between and in parallel spaced relation to walls 58 and 62.

In another embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 5, the lock device is designated generally by the numeral 200. The device includes a generally T-shaped block having T-shaped faces 204 and 206, substantially horizontal flat top surface 208 and a substantially horizontal flat bottom surface 210. A shoulder 212 may optionally be formed along the lower edge of the horizontal portion of the T of face 204 for seating mounting fin 26 thereon with the horizontal portion of the T of face 204 adjacent and in contact with the side of fin 26 remote from channel 32. Block 202 is mounted to fin 26 in much the same manner as member 68 of FIG. 4 is mounted to the fin. The horizontal portion of the T is provided with a pair of bores 214 as shown in FIG. 5 which are in horizontal registry with a pair of apertures 102 in fin 26. Screw members 216 are of such length that they extend through bores 214 and apertures 102 in the fin and threadably engage threaded apertures 102 in reinforcing plate 104 disposed adjacent the channel side of fin 26. The number of screw engaging threads in the plate may be increased by providing internally threaded flanges 105 extending from the periphery of the apertures 103 on the face of plate 104 in contact with fin 26. The threaded flanges extend into and fit closely within the apertures in fin 26. As previously indicated in connection with FIG. 4, the plate is of thin flat stock to permit use on sliding closures where the clearance between the sliding panel and the mounting fin is small. As shown, the heads 217 of the screw members engage the face 206 of the block. These heads, if preferred, may be flat heads engageable in recesses countersunk into the block. A guide bore 222 is formed in the vertical portion of the T block between faces 204 and 206 adjacent the bottom surface 210 and in parallel spaced relation thereto for receiving a lock pin 38 therethrough. Optionally, the lock pin may be held in place in the bore by a conventional key lock means as shown in FIG. 5. Specifically a lock cylinder 226 is received in a recess 228 formed in the bottom surface 210 of the block. In conventional manner, operation of a key in cylinder 226 rotates cam means (not shown) on the cylinder into locking engagement with reduced diameter portions 96 on the pin 38 through an aperture (not shown) communicating the recess 228 with the guide bore 222. For use when lock device 200 is unlocked a hemispherical groove 224 is formed in top surface 208 for storage of lock pin 38.

While the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments thereof, it will be understood that numerous modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without actually departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, all modifications and equivalents may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination with a track and at least one closure panel slidably mounted therein, said track including at least two parallel spaced fins for guiding sliding movement of said panel, a lock device adapted to be mounted on one of said fins, said lock device comprismg:

a. a block having at least one planar face;

b. means for mounting said block on one of said fins with said planar face adjacent one side of said mounting fin;

c. a guide bore in said block substantially perpendicular to said planar face; and

d. a lock pin slidable in said bore into engagement with said panel;

e. said means for mounting said block including at least one mounting bore in said block communicating with and perpendicular to said planar face, connecting means extending through said mounting bore and said fin, and plate means adjacent the side of said fin remote from said block in engagement with said connecting means, said plate means including two flat, spaced apart parallel faces, the distance between said faces being less than the distance between said mounting fin and said sliding panel, and said connecting means terminating within said plate means.

2. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connecting means comprises an element having a threaded shank and a head at one end of said shank and said plate means threadably engages said threaded shank.

3. A device, as claimed in claim 2, wherein said plate means includes a threaded aperture for engaging said threaded shank and said threaded shank terminates within said aperture.

4. A device, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said mounting fin has an aperture therein for receiving said connecting means, said plate aperture has a peripheral flange thereabout extending outwardly from one face of said plate means and adapted to be received within said fin aperture, and said flange is internally threaded.

5. In combination with a track and at least one closure panel slidably mounted therein, said track including at least two parallel spaced fins for guiding sliding movement of said panel, a lock device adapted to be mounted on one of said fins, said lock device comprising:

a. a block including a first element having a slot formed therein for receiving a second element in said slot, means for rigidly joining said first and second elements, said second element including a planar face adapted for mounting adjacent one side of said mounting fin;

b. means for mounting said block on one of said fins with said planar face adjacent one side of said mounting fin;

c. a guide bore in said block substantially perpendicular to said planar face; and

d. a lock pin slidable in said bore into engagement with said panel;

e. said means for mounting said block including at least two spaced apart parallel mounting bores in said block communicating with and perpendicular to said planar face, at least two connecting means extending through said mounting bores and said fin, and plate means adjacent the side of said fin remote from said block in engagement with said connecting means, said connecting means comprising an element having a threaded shank and a head at one end ofsaid shank, said plate means comprising two flat, spaced apart parallel faces and including a threaded aperture for engaging said threaded shank, said shank terminating within said aperture, the distance between said faces being less than the distance between said mounting fin and said sliding panel.

6. A device, as claimed in claim 5, wherein said slot includes a vertically inclined wall and said second element includes a wedge element having a vertical inclination corresponding to the inclination of said wall.

7. A device, as claimed in claim 6, wherein said threaded shank terminates within said plate means.

8. A device, as claimed in claim 7, wherein said block includes two spaced apart parallel mounting bores, said connecting means comprises two elements, and said plate means includes two threaded apertures for engaging said threaded shanks.

9. A device, as claimed in claim 6, further including a bore through said first element in generally parallel relation to the longitudinal extent of said fin for receiving and storing said lock pin when said device is unlocked.

10. A device, as claimed in claim 6, wherein said guide bore extends through said first element and said first element includes key lock means therein communicating with said guide bore for locking said lock pin in said guide bore.

11. A device, as claimed in claim 6, further including a shoulder projecting outwardly from the lower marginal edge of the face of said second element adapted for mounting adjacent and underlying the lower margin of said fin, said shoulder extending in generally parallel relation to the length of said fin.

12. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said block includes two parallel spaced apart T-shaped faces, one of said faces adapted for mounting adjacent one side of said mounting fin, said guide bore commu' nicates with and extends perpendicular to said T- shaped faces, the horizontal portion of said T-shaped faces includes two spaced apart parallel mounting bores communicating with and extending perpendicular thereto and two connecting means for engaging said plate means.

13. A device, as claimed in claim 12, further includ ing key lock means in said block communicating with said guide bore for locking said lock pin in said guide bore.

14. A device, as claimed in claim 12, further including a recess in the top of said block in generally parallel relation to said fin for receiving and storing said lock pin when said device is unlocked.

15. A device, as claimed in claim 12, further including a shoulder projecting outwardly from the lower margin of the horizontal portion of the T-shaped face adapted for mounting adjacent said fin, said shoulder extending in generally parallel relation to the length of saidfin. 

1. In combination with a track and at least one closure panel slidably mounted therein, said track including at least two parallel spaced fins for guiding sliding movement of said panel, a lock device adapted to be mounted on one of said fins, said lock device comprising: a. a block having at least one planar face; b. means for mounting said block on one of said fins with said planar face adjacent one side of said mounting fin; c. a guide bore in said block substantially perpendicular to said planar face; and d. a lock pin slidable in said bore into engagement with said panel; e. said means for mounting said block including at least one mounting bore in said block communicating with and perpendicular to said planar face, connecting means extending through said mounting bore and said fin, and plate means adjacent the side of said fin remote from said block in engagement with said connecting means, said plate means including two flat, spaced apart parallel faces, the distance between said faces being less than the distance between said mounting fin and said sliding panel, and said connecting means terminating within said plate means.
 1. In combination with a track and at least one closure panel slidably mounted therein, said track including at least two parallel spaced fins for guiding sliding movement of said panel, a lock device adapted to be mounted on one of said fins, said lock device comprising: a. a block having at least one planar face; b. means for mounting said block on one of said fins with said planar face adjacent one side of said mounting fin; c. a guide bore in said block substantially perpendicular to said planar face; and d. a lock pin slidable in said bore into engagement with said panel; e. said means for mounting said block including at least one mounting bore in said block communicating with and perpendicular to said planar face, connecting means extending through said mounting bore and said fin, and plate means adjacent the side of said fin remote from said block in engagement with said connecting means, said plate means including two flat, spaced apart parallel faces, the distance between said faces being less than the distance between said mounting fin and said sliding panel, and said connecting means terminating within said plate means.
 2. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein Said connecting means comprises an element having a threaded shank and a head at one end of said shank and said plate means threadably engages said threaded shank.
 3. A device, as claimed in claim 2, wherein said plate means includes a threaded aperture for engaging said threaded shank and said threaded shank terminates within said aperture.
 4. A device, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said mounting fin has an aperture therein for receiving said connecting means, said plate aperture has a peripheral flange thereabout extending outwardly from one face of said plate means and adapted to be received within said fin aperture, and said flange is internally threaded.
 5. In combination with a track and at least one closure panel slidably mounted therein, said track including at least two parallel spaced fins for guiding sliding movement of said panel, a lock device adapted to be mounted on one of said fins, said lock device comprising: a. a block including a first element having a slot formed therein for receiving a second element in said slot, means for rigidly joining said first and second elements, said second element including a planar face adapted for mounting adjacent one side of said mounting fin; b. means for mounting said block on one of said fins with said planar face adjacent one side of said mounting fin; c. a guide bore in said block substantially perpendicular to said planar face; and d. a lock pin slidable in said bore into engagement with said panel; e. said means for mounting said block including at least two spaced apart parallel mounting bores in said block communicating with and perpendicular to said planar face, at least two connecting means extending through said mounting bores and said fin, and plate means adjacent the side of said fin remote from said block in engagement with said connecting means, said connecting means comprising an element having a threaded shank and a head at one end of said shank, said plate means comprising two flat, spaced apart parallel faces and including a threaded aperture for engaging said threaded shank, said shank terminating within said aperture, the distance between said faces being less than the distance between said mounting fin and said sliding panel.
 6. A device, as claimed in claim 5, wherein said slot includes a vertically inclined wall and said second element includes a wedge element having a vertical inclination corresponding to the inclination of said wall.
 7. A device, as claimed in claim 6, wherein said threaded shank terminates within said plate means.
 8. A device, as claimed in claim 7, wherein said block includes two spaced apart parallel mounting bores, said connecting means comprises two elements, and said plate means includes two threaded apertures for engaging said threaded shanks.
 9. A device, as claimed in claim 6, further including a bore through said first element in generally parallel relation to the longitudinal extent of said fin for receiving and storing said lock pin when said device is unlocked.
 10. A device, as claimed in claim 6, wherein said guide bore extends through said first element and said first element includes key lock means therein communicating with said guide bore for locking said lock pin in said guide bore.
 11. A device, as claimed in claim 6, further including a shoulder projecting outwardly from the lower marginal edge of the face of said second element adapted for mounting adjacent and underlying the lower margin of said fin, said shoulder extending in generally parallel relation to the length of said fin.
 12. A device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said block includes two parallel spaced apart T-shaped faces, one of said faces adapted for mounting adjacent one side of said mounting fin, said guide bore communicates with and extends perpendicular to said T-shaped faces, the horizontal portion of said T-shaped faces includes two spaced apart parallel mounting bores communicating with and extending perpendicular thereto and two connecting means for engaging said plate means.
 13. A device, as claimed in claim 12, further including key lock means in said block communicating with said guide bore for locking said lock pin in said guide bore.
 14. A device, as claimed in claim 12, further including a recess in the top of said block in generally parallel relation to said fin for receiving and storing said lock pin when said device is unlocked. 